Thai government pushes ahead with international tourist tax, 300 baht per visitor begins in April

[bkk6060]

10 bucks.  Just don't have that coffee before you leave London Airport and you are even.

[LukKrueng]

4 hours ago, aussiexpat said:

When you consider there's already a 700 baht tourist departure tax

That's airport tax and anyone who travel pays. I don't think there's any airport in the world that doesn't charge departure tax. In the US there's also an arrival tax (or at least there used to be).

 

BTW- about 30 years ago there was a "going overseas tax" for Thai citizens. A Thai travelling overseas had to buy this tax coupon at the airlines offices, and it was over 1000 baht

[cjinchiangrai]

ZZZZzzzzzzz.........  Who cares, 300 Baht is irrelevant on an international ticket.

[medina21]

The tax will start at 300 and quickly become 1,000 and more. Give governments an inch and they take a mile. It's not the tax per se , it's the negative image it sends to potential customers. If countries charge a tax for visiting their countries and contributing to their GDP, why not High Street chains demanding a fee to enter their stores?

[madmitch]

It seems some people think that this is going to replace travel insurance, even covid insurance. If that were the case the scheme would be costing a lot more than 300 baht!

 

I think it's more likely an insurance fund for Thai hospitals to claim from when a tourist disappears without paying the bill.

[HashBrownHarry]

4 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

it will be added to the ticket price just like the departure tax is.

And when it is no one notices or cares.

 

I never knew the departure tax was added to tickets, i do remember back in the day they'd take 500THB cash off you when leaving the airport.

[Pierre Hanot]

4 hours ago, calbts2 said:

In all my years here I don't think I have ever seen a short period(the last month or so)  where an inept government is making one decision after another to dissuade tourists from visiting the country.

I love vietnam ????????????

[thailand49]

Greed and stupidity fee or tax!???? 

[2 is 1]

3 hours ago, Xonax said:

How does an International Tourist Tax make any sense, when the governmant at the same time is trying to help tourism survive by paying half of the bill for Thai nationals?  Do they really think, that foreign tourists are all rich and not equally affectey by Covid 19?

If you dont have 300 bth "extra" in your budget i think that kind tourist should only travel hes local park! And drink there hes local Lao Khao if has money enough for that.

[Cherrytreeview]

1 hour ago, Bkk Brian said:

Brit bashing at its finest from him, nothing surprising despite this being about Thailand and not the UK

He'll have a job bashing this.

 

[Mavideol]

3 hours ago, Kinnock said:

Like paying for the new Chinese fighter jets, the new Chinese submarines and the railroad that will help Chinese produce into Thailand?

it appears now it's the other way around for the ;produce   555

Government Hopes to Export Fresh Fruit Via Laos-China High-Speed Train

 

[Bkktodd]

4 hours ago, jacko45k said:

So now tourists need to find this alien currency prior to immigration?

 

4 hours ago, jacko45k said:

So now tourists need to find this alien currency prior to immigration?

Generally its add to the ticketing fees and taxes.  

[calbts2]

2 hours ago, michael888 said:

Agreed.  It's mind-boggling.  Longer than the last month or so though.  Downward spiral since the junta.  

Yes, I long for the days of Yingluck. She was not perfect (no leader is of course), but Thailand was such a better place pre-2014 - especially for expats.

 

It was so easy to stay here even on monthly visa runs. Even since the junta takeover it has been one thing after another making it harder and harder to stay

here:

First there was the ED Visa crackdown.

Next was the appointment of Big Jerk to head of immigration which lead to harder financial requirements and elimination of Income affidavits for a few key countries for retirees.

Then came the implementation of mandatory useless health insurance for the OA visa which turned it from being of the the best retiree visas (in that you could keep

all of your money in your home country) into being worse than the NON-O which has no insurance requirement.

Starting around 2015 or so and ramping up before covid hit were numerous reports of frequent Thailand travelers being harassed and some deported while holding valid tourist visas. This type of treatment from Thai immigration officers was unheard of and practically non existent before then.

 

Now with these draconian border closures, quarantines, testing, etc.  - it has never been more difficult to enter the country and with this governments "blame the foreigner" sentiment, I don't see this attitude changing until they are swept from power and a new government can come in and start to repair the damage they have caused.

 

Charging an extra tourist fee when Thailand needs every tourist they can get has got to be one of the most idiotic policies ever put into place.

I feel for locals here in the hospitality industry as they have been economically bankrupted and destroyed by the decisions of this government.

 

[digger70]

4 hours ago, sanuk711 said:

300 baht will include medical cover--this could be interesting----For however long the tourist stays in Thailand?

 

.

That will be great Can Us Expats pay the THB300 every year and be covered for Medical Too?

[Mavideol]

tomorrow's headlines ..... TAT said that millions are applying to the scheme and hotels fully booked for May

[kiwikeith]

4 hours ago, sanuk711 said:

300 baht will include medical cover--this could be interesting----For however long the tourist stays in Thailand?

 

.

I don't care what anyone thinks, a entry tax of 1000 Bhat would not worry me, if they wipe the BS insurance, and let tourists and expats get on without all the dumb premiums that are being welshed, 

Just this minute Thailand has raised power and water prices and the prices of pork have gone up, no money from tourists so screw the people, sad days in every corner of the world. 

[PETERTHEEATER]

 

 

.........and it will transform the country’s tourism model to enable a sustainable growth.

Like a wart?

[mberbae]

So this means tourists now don't need to show proof of insurance

after April ? 555555.  Let me sell you a bridge.

[kingstonkid]

4 hours ago, Xonax said:

How does an International Tourist Tax make any sense, when the governmant at the same time is trying to help tourism survive by paying half of the bill for Thai nationals?  Do they really think, that foreign tourists are all rich and not equally affectey by Covid 19?

Does anyone think that a person is going to say no to coming here because they have to pay 10 US extra on their ticket.  Considering all the other fees it is not that much really

[aussiexpat]

24 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

tomorrow's headlines ..... TAT said that millions are applying to the scheme and hotels fully booked for May

It's already in the article lol

 

"Thanakorn also said that Thailand is expected to welcome nearly 15 million visitors throughout the year, which will generate between 1.3 to 1.8 trillion baht in revenue"

[vVDB]

the money will go to a foundation ?

[mrbojangles]

5 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

it will be added to the ticket price just like the departure tax is.

Their next cunning plan will be to introduce a mid-air tax

[Midwit]

3 hours ago, sandyf said:

Remind us, how much tax is there currently on a ticket into Heathrow,  or do  you believe international visitors have a one way ticket.

 

This is what it was 5 years ago for Heathrow.

It is a warped mentality that thinks Thailand should be free and other countries charge what they want.

 

Government, authority and airport charges	Per adult
E7AD	THB 35.00
E7AP	THB 35.00
Passenger Service Charge (Domestic) - Thailand	THB 700.00
Air Passenger Duty - United Kingdom	THB 3,425.00
Passenger Service Charge - United Kingdom	THB 3,010.00
Total government, authority and airport charges* > More information	THB 7,205.00

nmenthority and airport charges

 

Very strange. I thought this thread was about a tax on tourists coming into Thailand. Nice job justifying bad behavior with bad behavior though. I will give you only half credit since you really should’ve made the post about you in some way. 

[Pedrogaz]

So this initiative is helping tourism recover? More insanity from the military junta who brought happiness to the people.

[Bantex]

5 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

 

BTW, not so long ago they were considering a 500 baht jump.

 

It’s the old ploy of stating a high price initially to shock everyone into complaining before eventually reducing it so that everyone thinks their outbursts caused the reduction and they feel that they’ve won and accept it with a smile.

[EricTh]

People will still come to Thailand despite this increase.

 

300 baht is nothing when compared to the expensive hotel quarantine and Covid tests. 

[Chivas]

1 hour ago, Chelseafan said:

Jeez, who cares, if you can't afford an extra £6.50ish to come to Thailand then don't bother coming at all. 

Totally agree

[3NUMBAS]

dumb and dumber

[blix99]

2 hours ago, Chivas said:

Cant really see 300 Baht (so around £7) being added to the ticket price becoming a barrier to visitors

 

Obviously absorbed within the ticket price, added to the 700 Baht departure tax that the vast majority didnt actually realise was there anyway as time as gone by these last years...

 

Pretty much a non event I'd dare to suggest

Correct!

[wwest5829]

I have no problem with Thailand demanding tourists be required to purchase medical insurance the same as is need for a Schengen Visa in Europe (and the same coverage). Thailand wants to have those insurance profits, again no problem as long as the prices and coverage is commensurate. Additionally, for those of us full-time retired residents, work up the documented costs and work us into the national healthcare program with the costs being covered by the insurance. It is not brain surgery to work out a beneficial program for all concerned. The way Thailand is proceeding, tourism, advertising, public relations ... a negative response.